Wife arrested in 2013 shooting death of David Gipe

CHAMBERSBURG >> More than two years after David Gipe was fatally shot outside his Chambersburg home, his wife, Amy, is now charged as an accomplice to his murder.

Kevin Rouner, the man prosecutors originally charged in Gipe's death in 2013, is awaiting trial on the charges. Prosecutors believe Rouner was in a sexual relationship with Amy Gipe, 45, according to court documents. Rouner, 39, is suspected of driving up to David Gipe in front of his King Street home, taking a 12-gauge shotgun and shooting him "point blank."

Amy Gipe is now charged with criminal homicide-accomplice, solicitation to commit murder, conspiracy to commit murder and hindering apprehension.

Following Wednesday's arrest of Amy Gipe, the Franklin County District Attorney's Office released a statement explaining they continued to investigate her after charges were filed against Rouner.

"The affidavit shows her prior knowledge and awareness and encouragement of the murder, as well as the subsequent measures she took to cover up what had actually happened when interviewed by detectives from the Chambersburg Police Department," according to the media release.

The DA's office also notes that David Gipe's surviving family members were advised of the charges and support the prosecution.

"Law enforcement sincerely thanks them for their continued patience with the prosecution of Kevin Rouner and simultaneous investigation of Amy Gipe to date," the DA's office said.

The investigation

Chambersburg Police responded to a report of a possible hit and run around 11:16 p.m. July 18, 2013, in front of 354 W. King Street, where David Gipe was found deceased, lying face down.

According to court documents, witnesses saw a dark colored SUV fleeing the area immediately after hearing a loud bang that could have been a gunshot. Upon examination of David Gipe's body, the Franklin County Coroner determined he had suffered a gunshot wound to his right shoulder.

When detectives first spoke with Amy Gipe, she told them that her husband had left for work in the afternoon and was coming home after his shift when the incident occurred.

At the scene, neighbors approached detectives and told them they believed Amy Gipe was involved in an extra-martial affair with a man who visited the home often. They described the man as heavyset with long hair pulled into a ponytail.

On July 19, at 3:30 a.m., Amy Gipe went in to speak with Chambersburg Police detectives and claimed she was lying in bed watching TV when she heard a loud bang in front of her home. She said she heard the sound of a vehicle driving away, but didn't think anything of it until she heard screams and someone banging on her front door.

During this conversation, detectives told Amy Gipe that her husband had been shot at close range and that it appeared to be a targeted attack. Detectives noted in court records that Amy Gipe did not seem upset during the conversation and her demeanor "did not appear appropriate" considering the circumstances.

When police asked her about another person frequenting her home, she informed them that a family friend came by often, though it was a platonic relationship.

Detectives spoke with the friend and he informed them that he had a sexual relationship with Amy Gipe.

The friend told police that Amy Gipe wanted to get away from David Gipe but was afraid.

He also explained that he had two voicemails from Amy Gipe, from between 11:43 p.m. and 11:57 p.m. the night of the shooting.

In the first message, Amy Gipe is recorded referencing something happening to her husband, and that her husband had been shot.

Investigators noted in court documents that both calls were made before detectives had actually determined David Gipe suffered a gunshot wound, and prior to detectives notifying Amy Gipe of the fact.

During a conversation with Amy Gipe later that date, she at first tried to tell investigators that the man her neighbors were seeing was the family friend. When police pointed out that he did not match the description they provided, nor did he drive the vehicles they described, she said "that's Kevin, he's just a friend," according to court documents.

She initially would not provide Rouner's last name, asking why police needed to know and repeated that he was just a friend. When investigators explained that they needed to know everything they could about the people with ties to her home, she provided his last name.

Rouner and Amy Gipe's explanation of their relationship stemmed from Rouner claiming he was a talent manager to members of the Gipe family, according to court documents. Eventually, Rouner admitted to police that he did have a sexual relationship with Amy Gipe, but ended it believing she would not leave her husband.

In an interview with police on July 23, 2013, Amy Gipe told detectives she couldn't remember her first interview with police due to taking Ambien earlier in the evening. She then recounted her day for them, including that around 11:10 p.m. she heard a "firecracker" in front of her house, then a neighbor came to her door and told her "your husband is on the ground."

Amy Gipe described going to her husband's side and the scene around him, then said she couldn't think of anyone who would want to kill her husband. She also said that her husband was very loud, jealous and a racist, but at times could be loving and caring.

Shortly after this conversation, investigators received records of text messages between Amy Gipe and Rouner indicating they were intimate.

Later investigators confirmed Rouner also had access to a vehicle that matched the description of the one driving away from Gipe after he was killed. They also determined he had access to a gun through his cousin, according to court documents. They also found gunshot residue in Rouner's vehicle.

In later interviews, Amy Gipe continued to deny the ongoing relationship with Rouner.

While Rouner told police that he was in the area of the shooting the night of the incident, he continues to deny that he had anything to do with the shooting, court documents show.

Rouner also told investigators in August 2014 that he believes Amy Gipe —or someone associated with her — stole his cousin's shotgun from his vehicle and that she was setting him up to appear responsible.

Rouner is next set to appear in court on Monday, Sept. 21, for a pre-trial conference.

Amy Gipe was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Glenn Manns, and denied bail. She has a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 29.